especially, her sister, were safe was the only thing on Sofie’s mind. “Ian?”
Using his first name was a mistake. The shock of seeing him when he first came in the room was one thing. But familiarity was not acceptable, and it wasn’t safe. The people who were depending on her needed her to keep her wits about her. She shouldn’t be focusing on the tall, gorgeous man who was making her remember what it was like to be so in love it hurt.
Ian still hadn’t given her an answer, though. He wouldn’t even look at her.
“How many times must I ask the question?”
He closed the distance between them and the pained look on his face told her what she didn’t really want to know. “Sofie.” His voice was tender, soft. “Your sister was injured. It’s serious, but she is expected to make it. Your parents will both be fine.”
“You will address the princess as YOUR HIGHNESS!” Louis chided. Through the haze of tears, Sofie saw only Ian. His eyes were still focused on hers, but when he heard the order, barked with such disrespect, his jaw muscles clenched and he turned.
“You will get the hell out of here!” He pointed at the two FBI agents standing at the edge of the group. “Clear the room. Every one leaves.”
She’d never been so relieved—or so terrified—obviously he realized she needed the
space, needed time to process what had happened.
Oh, God…Anna. Her little sister. When Anna had come into her life, Sofie was sure the blonde, blue-eyed baby was just for her. She was smart, happy and perfect. They were four years apart and her sister was a formidable presence. If she were honest, Sofie believed Anna would be a stronger queen than she ever would be.
“I’m not leaving you alone with Her Highness,” Jasper retorted. “I’m in charge of her security.”
“Yeah,” Ian said. “Not anymore. I had a conversation with the palace. As in the
Archduke. I’m in charge of her security.”
He’d talked to her father? Ian was going to take charge of her protective detail?
“Now give the princess some space. We’ll come up with a plan as soon as she’s
comfortable being part of the discussion.”
There was no shortage of objections, especially from Louis, who as usual was more
interested in how this was affecting him.
Ian didn’t care. He herded everyone out and once the door was closed, he latched it. She was now locked in a hotel suite with the most handsome man on the face of the earth, the man she once thought of as the love of her life. The man who broke her heart into a million pieces.
“You spoke to my father?”
He stepped back into the living room, and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Ian was always fit and strong, but as he aged, he filled out. He looked like a man, not a university student, but all that was just physical. This man was in control. He was sure of himself—
confident. It had been eight very long years missing him.
“I called the embassy, and the ambassador wanted me to speak to the Archduke directly.
Understandably, he’s very concerned. But he seemed comfortable with me taking charge of your security.”
“He did? It must be serious, then”
Ian nodded. “Very.” He approached and sat on the sofa next to her. The closeness of his body brought back all the memories.
“Anna?” she whispered.
“She’s unconscious, has a very bad concussion. It was a miracle there weren’t more
injuries.”
“I need to go home to be with her.” Sofie rose and moved frantically for her bedroom, before Ian grabbed her hand and stopped her.
“I’m sorry.” She looked startled. Scared. He dropped her hand. “That can’t happen right now. We’re going to be moving you to a secure location.”
When she started to object, Ian laid a finger over her lips silencing her. Was he serious?
She had every right to question him. He was about to say something, but hesitated right before he reached out and gently dropped his hand on her shoulder. Too stunned to stop him, not that she’d be able to, Ian guided her into the main bath and turned on the shower. Under any other circumstances this would have been a very appealing situation, now she was just confused. And hurting. God, her heart ached for her sister.
“What are you doing?” she asked while wiping her eyes. Everyone around her was going crazy. “I want to go home.”
“Sofie, listen.”
“Why are we in here? This is absurd.”
“No one can know what we’re discussing. It’s possible your suite is bugged. We’ll have it swept.”
“Bugged? Like a listening device? That’s impossible.”